Blog: The migration debate is moving on
Blog by Susan Murray, Director, David Hume Institute
20th February 2020
Confession: I am a migrant. Generations of my family have moved within the UK for work. Like many migrants, I chose a place I wanted to live because of the quality of life and found a series of jobs that have enabled me to stay.
Many headlines yesterday on the latest UK migration policy announcement seem to forget migrants have choices.
I attended three events in the last three days related to different aspects of Scotland’s future labour market and migration. The discussion in Scotland could not feel more different to the Westminster driven headlines.
The panel at yesterday’s event included representatives from the farming and hospitality industries. The audience included representatives from social care and other industries. All were completely dismayed by the latest proposals announced. Frustration was voiced at the amount of time spent feeding data into the Migration Advisory Committee and to Home Office officials, as well as hosting UK Government Minister visits only to find the proposals show no sign of being listened to.
Data and evidence seems to have been dismissed. The numbers don’t add up. And, the conversation, shut down.
For instance, the figures for agricultural workers quoted at 10,000 is the number that is needed for Scotland alone. NFU states the minimum number needed for the whole of the UK is 70,000.
What has been proposed is not what was promised throughout the Brexit debate – an Australian points based system.
Is that because the Australian system is a regional points based system with variations to target different needs across the country? The Australian system has seen migration rise, not fall, as is the stated aim of the UK Government policy.
However, the hostile rhetoric means migrants that have choices and are already voting with their feet. The fall in the pound means it is no longer so attractive for migrants to work in the UK as they can earn more other countries.
The General Teaching Council for Scotland has already seen significant drop in applications from European Countries. The numbers have “fallen off a cliff”.
Only time will tell if the welcoming “Scotland is Open” message being promoted by the Scottish Government will cut through internationally over the hostile message from the UK Government. If it doesn’t, Scotland with already low unemployment, will face stark challenges in many industries.
The work of the British Council in Scotland published this week on Soft Power shows this will become increasingly important.
Valuing our values was at the heart of the discussion on Soft Power. Scotland is respected across the world for its values, which are critical for building relationships and our international reputation.
Scotland is now campaign poster on the London tube, February 14 2020.
We know from our recent work on Scotland’s labour market, Who Will Do the Jobs? that attracting migrants to work in Scotland will be essential to sustain public services. This is a discussion of hearts as well as minds.
Understanding soft power and its ability to influence migration will be critical for this.
Thinking closer to home, Scotland already has net inward migration from the rest of the UK.
People are moving here because of the better quality of life and progressive policies. The latest Scotland is Now campaign aims to increase this further.
Having lived in Scotland for over 25 years, I love that our values are different from the south of England where I grew up – the daughter of a Scottish migrant. I still appreciate the differences including small everyday demonstrations of community and kindness showing distinct values.
The climate emergency has focussed minds across the world on the importance of natural and social capital.
Scotland’s values, its natural and social capital will be increasingly important for the future of our economy and our prosperity.
